Windows XP Basic Training V.

2
Created by Mike Eccles Countryside High School Tech Coordinator

Logging on to Windows XP
User name and password Security feature that allows multiple users for each machine to have private, secure folders to store data.

The Desktop
The Desktop is the entire screen except for the bar at the bottom. Windows, dialog boxes, and icons such as the Recycle Bin are displayed on the desktop. You can store shortcuts , which are icons for your favorite programs, on the desktop. You can drag windows , dialog boxes, and icons around the desktop. Double-click an icon on the desktop to open it.

Parts of the Desktop

The Start Button on the left side of the Taskbar, when clicked, opens the Start menu which is the
primary access to the programs, utilities and the settings that are available in Windows

The Taskbar at the bottom of the screen and contains the active tasks, which are icons and titles of the programs that are running on the computer or folders that are open. The taskbar also holds the Start button on the left and the Notification area on the right. Click a program on the taskbar to open it. The Notification Area this area contains the icons of special programs as well as the time of day.
Many of the programs running here are running in the background as you use other applications. Examples anti-virus programs, instant messaging, security applications, multimedia applications.

Using the Mouse on the Desktop

Highlight a Object on the Screen move the mouse pointer on top of the object

Select an Object on the Screen point to the object with the mouse and click only once with left
mouse button.

Open or Start an Object point to the object and Double Click with the left mouse button. Open a Context Menu for an Object point to an object and click the Right mouse button and
a secondary menu will open.

Move an Object on the screen point to an object on the screen you want to move and hold down
the left mouse button and then move the object.

The Start Menu

The Start Menu contains icons for programs and folders, plus access to control functions and other menus

All Programs List of applications installed on the computer, can be started form this list. Log Off and Shut Down Bottom line

Permanent Applications Short Cut Area Upper left section. This is also referred to as the
Pinned Items List

Most Frequently used Applications Area Lower left section. Windows XP monitors the
programs you have used most often and automatically places the six highest here. File Related Folders Upper right section. Quick access to Specialty folders on the computer. Example the My Documents, folder created for each separate user of the computer. System Management Links Middle and lower right section. Links to utilities to manage your computers resources. All Programs Window

To modify the look and function of the Start Menu right Click the Start Button / Choose Properties / Click the Customize Button.

The Advanced Tab contains even more customizable options.

The Taskbar
The Taskbar is strip usually found at the bottom of the desktop that houses the Start Button, the Notification Area, and a button for each running program. (see image on page one) The Taskbar can be moved to other sides of the desktop for individual taste, hidden until needed and locked in place. When programs are opened a button is placed in the Taskbar. Users can minimize and switch between programs by clicking the appropriate button in the Taskbar. This is called multi-tasking. To modify the Taskbar right Click on the Taskbar and choose Properties

The Quick Launch Toolbar A section of the Taskbar where icons of shortcuts to frequently
used programs can be placed for quick access. I t must be first enabled from the Taskbar Properties window (see above). Simply drag the program to the Quick launch Area of the toolbar. (usually next to the Start button on the Taskbar)

Ways to Start a Program

On the Desktop double click the program icon On the Start Menu Click the program icon on the menu list On the All Programs Menu Open Start, select All Programs, Open the appropriate
folder, click the program icon

In the Run Command window Open Start and select Run, type the path and program
name.

How to use a Window and its Parts

When you start a program or open a folder, the program or folder appears in a Window on your screen. This is the essential way the Windows XP operating system functions.

Essential parts of the a Window

1. The Title Bar 2. The Control menu 3. The Menu Bar 4. The Toolbar 5. The Address Bar 6. The Tasks Pane 7. The Window Border 8. The Detail Pane (turned on or off under Tool / Folder Options pull down menu) 9. The Status Bar (turned on or off under View pull down menu) 10. The Sizing Handle 11. The Vertical Scroll Bar 12. The Scroll Arrows 13. The Minimum Button 14. The Maximize Button 15. The Close Button (place the numbers on the diagram above the list)

Change the basic Window look and function Select Tools from the Menu Bar / Select
Folder Options/ Under the General Tab choose your preferred way to work with the window.

The two images below illustrate Category View vs Classic View

The Dialog Box

A Dialog box looks like a window but it is different in that a window is to display information and a Dialog Box is to gather information.

The Parts of the Dialog Box

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. The Title Bar Tabs A Drop Down List Box Option Buttons A Text Box Command Buttons A Spinner A Slider

9. Check Boxes 10. Help Button (place the numbers on the diagrams above)

Logging Off and Shutting Down

Log Off Click Start / Click Log off This does not shut down the machine but rather closes one
users account and makes it available for another user to log on.

Shut Down Click Start / Click Turn Off Computer This presents the user the options shown in the
image below.

Changing the Way the Desktop Looks

You can quickly change the desktop with a theme, a background, or a color,-all from the Display Properties dialog box. Right click on an empty portion of the Desktop and select Properties from the Context Menu. The following shows four of the more important Display Properties tabs.

Add Windows Programs Icons to the Desktop

Right click blank area of desktop and select Properties. Select the Desktop Tab and click the Customize Desktop Button.

Windows can also automatically align or clean up your desktop icons. Right click any empty portion of the Desktop and choose Arrange Icons By and the user will be given a list of options to rearrange the desktop. Auto Arrange place every icon in neat columns Align to Grid - allow user to move icons but will snap to preset columns

Working With Folders and Saving Your Data

Data is saved on your computer in Files and Folders. The tool Windows XP uses to organize these files and folders is called Windows Explorer. You can view your folders in one of two ways, Folder View or Task View. Change between the Views by clicking the Folder Icon in the toolbar

There are several places where data can be saved. It is important to pay close attention to where you want to save your data.

Double click on any of the storage devices to see the folders and files stored there. Double clicking any folder of file will open it.

Change the way Windows Explorer show the Folders and Files. Open My computer /
Select Local Disk ( C Drive) / Change to Folder View / Select an option from the View Button

The two windows above show Icon View and List View and the window below shows the Details View

Create a New Folder

Right click empty portion of desktop / Select New from the context menu / Select Folder / Give the folder an appropriate name. From within a folder select File from the pull-down menu / select New / select Folder / Give the Folder an appropriate name.

Rename a Folder or File

Right click on the folder / select Rename from the context menu / give the folder a new name.

Delete a Folder or File

Highlight the Folder and hit the Delete Key / Click Yes to confirm Drag the Folder to the Recycle Bin on the Desktop Right click on the Folder and select Delete from the context menu

Copy Folders or Files (4 ways)

Right click on the folder / select Copy from the context menu. / Open another folder an right click any open space in the window and select Paste from the context menu that appears. Highlight the folder and with the right mouse button held down, drag the folder to a new location. Select either Move or Copy from the context menu. Use the Task Pane options (see image below) With Windows Explorer open you can see many folders at the same time which makes copying or moving files or folders easier.

Use keyboard commands to Copy and Paste folders or files. The CTRL key and the letter C will copy a file and the CTRL key and the letter V will paste the file in a new location. Highlight the file and then press CTRL C together. Move to a new location and press CTRL V together and the file has been copied.

Select Multiple Files or Folders (2 ways)

Move the mouse pointer to the upper left just outside of the top and leftmost object you want to select. Holding down the left mouse button, drag the mouse to include the other object you want to select. All of the included objects will now be selected and can be deleted, copied or moved to a new location.

Click the first object and press the CTRL key while clicking the remaining objects you want to select. All of the included objects will now be selected and can be deleted, copied or moved to a new location. If you are in Task View, as in the image to the right, you can choose one of the options in the File and Folder Task pane to perform the operation.

Create a Shortcut to a Folder or File

Shortcuts allow to quickly access files or folders from places other than where the files are actually stored. One of the more commonly used locations for shortcuts is the Desktop Right click on any folder or file you want to make a shortcut to. While holding the right mouse button down drag it to a new location. Choose Create Shortcut Here from the

context menu to make the shortcut in the new location.

Search for Files and Folders

Click on the Start button and click the Search option Select the All Files and Folders option Enter all or part of the filename and select which drives to search. Click Search

The Recycle Bin

If you do a normal delete, the item or items deleted will not be permanently erased. They will instead go to the Recycle Bin where they can be recovered if you change your mind later. To permanently erase these files you must choose the Empty Recycle Bin option after clicking on the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop. Items in the Recycle Bin can be automatically restored to their original location.

Using Task Manager

Task Manager is a Windows XP utility that allows you to do the following: Stop a Program that has locked up your machine View the computers Performance status Task Manager is accessed either by holding down the CTRL ALT DELETE keys together and selecting Task Manager or right clicking on the Task Bar and selecting Task Manager

Using The System Restore Utility

System Restore keeps track of the changes you make to your system, including the software you install and the settings you make. If a hardware change, a software installation, or something else causes the system not to run properly, you can use System Restore to return the system to the way it was. This however will not bring back lost or deleted data or program files.

Create a Restore Point

Click Start / All Programs / Accessories / System Tools / System Restore Click Create a Restore Point in the window and then click Next. Enter a name for the Restore Point Click Create and then Close

Restore the System to a Previous Point in Time

Click Start / All Programs / Accessories / System Tools / System Restore Click Restore My computer to an Earlier Time and click Next Select a date in bold print from the calendar Click Next then OK

Get System Information

When you need to get information about your computer for yourself or for a technical support person who is working with you, Windows XP has two utilities to assist you.

My Computer Information
Click Start Button / Help and Support Option Click Computer Information

Detailed System Information

Click Start Button / All Programs / Accessories / System Tools / System Information

The Control Panel

The Control Panel is a set of Utilities that lets the user easily control many of the functions of the computer. Windows XP offer the user two ways to view and use the Control Panels. Classic View and Category View

Selected Control Panels

User Accounts This control panel covers the area of
adding new user to the computer, assigning passwords, and setting user permissions and rights. The User Accounts Window may look like the image to the right or the two images at the top of the next page

Power Options This control panel allows the user to set

the time limit before the monitor or disk drives shut down to save on power. This is most helpful with laptop computers.

Add Remove Programs using this control

panel is the recommended method to remove a program from the computer. When a program is installed it puts information in many locations on you computer. The only complete way to remove all of that information in all the locations is with this control panel.

Date and Time Correct time is important as many computer programs rely on the system time to function accurately. This control panels set the Date and Time.

Internet Options This control panel helps configure the way your Internet Browser functions.

Printers and Faxes this control panels

allows the user to add and configure printers as well as troubleshoot print problems.

System - This control panel give the user access to

system management tools.

Sharing Folders
While Windows XP allows security for each users files and folders, users can also designate certain folders to be shared for other users of the computer or across a network. This is an ideal way for multiple users to collaborate on projects. Click Start and choose My Computers / Click Folders on the Toolbar Choose the location of the folder you want to share. Right click on a folder you want to share and choose Properties form the context menu Click the Sharing Tab Click the box to share the folder

The Permissions button allows the owner of the folder to determine the type of access visitors to the folder will have. There are many more options when it comes to sharing folders that are beyond the scope of this training. See the Tech Coordinator for further assistance.